For this post, we decided to revisit a truly timeless destination in the heart of Mayfair, the iconic Burlington Arcade, a runway uniting Picadilly and Bond street. It was the world’s first shopping arcade, opened in 1819 to great acclaim and now recognised as a historic and architectural masterpiece.
The arcade was built to the order of George Cavendish ( it was his idea to stop people throwing oyster shells, bottles and dead cats into his back garden! ). It was built “for the sale of jewellery and fancy articles of fashionable demand, for the gratification of the public”.The Burlington Arcade is patrolled by beadles in traditional uniforms including top hats and frock coats (thank you so much John ! you’ve been so understanding and helpful !!!).The original beadles were recruited from Lord Cavendish’s 10th Hussars to patrol the strip, checking that no one is whistling, running or opening umbrellas.
A special thanks also to the best “shoe shine” in London, Romi Topi*, who has polished with extra care my “special shoes “!!! I think it was a first for him to polish a wolf's angry birds shoes !!!
The new owners, who bought the arcade for 104 millions of pounds in 2010, a New-York based property investor and a Europeen real estate investment and fund magement firm want to renovate it for a high-end international market (it means big luxury brands such as Prada, Gucci,Chanel…).Rents will be significantly increased and all the small family business will probably disappear…
So if you want to enjoy a proper “British institution”, do it now before it’s too late…xxx S.D.
black coat : Luisa Spagnoli | skirt : Whistle | grey cashmere cardigan : Esprit | black bow blouse : Uniqlo (current) | grey leather shoes : Zara | perl bracelet : Zara | angry bird slippers : H&M (current) | vintage crocodile handbag
*(www.shoeshineservice.co.uk)
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